Oracle’s Impact on Methodology & Service, Along With Native AI Capability, Give EHR Customers Reason to be Bullish

Like all health systems, AtlantiCare is seeking ways to ease the documentation burden on clinicians. CIO Jordan Ruch sees ambient clinical AI as a key tool in reducing burnout and allowing providers to spend more time at the bedside.

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“The work we have been asking our clinical teams to do in the EHR for many years has, unfortunately, come between our patients and the care providers,” Ruch said. “Physician burnout is real. Studies consistently show physicians spend twice as much time on electronic documentation and clerical tasks as compared to providing direct patient care.”

AtlantiCare has implemented Oracle’s ambient clinical AI-driven documentation tool to streamline clinical workflows. Ruch highlighted a 2023 study in the Journal of Internal Medicine showing that providers would need 26.7 hours per day to meet all documentation and care guidelines. AI-powered tools, he argued, offer a way to restore balance and efficiency.

Nurses, too, are burdened by documentation. “Nationally, nurses devote more than half their shift to EHR data entry and retrieval,” Ruch explained. “Another 30% of their time is spent looking for supplies. That leaves only 20% at the bedside.”

While AI tools are not a panacea, Ruch sees them as a major step forward. “We’re not just burying our heads in the sand. We’re looking at the general state of clinician burnout and taking steps to address it.”

Oracle’s Influence on Cerner

AtlantiCare has also embraced Oracle’s changes to Cerner following its acquisition, seeing improvements in development and responsiveness. Ruch, who has experience with both Epic and Oracle Cerner, noted that Oracle’s structured methodology has improved the EHR’s reliability.

“Oracle hasn’t missed a development deadline since acquiring Cerner,” he said. “That’s a big shift from the past. Oracle’s methodology is scripted, controlled, and reliable. That’s evident in the product.”

One major differentiator is Oracle’s native AI capabilities. “Most ambient tools are third-party add-ons. But Oracle’s AI is a foundational element of the EHR,” Ruch explained. “That’s a big difference, and it can be leveraged across Oracle’s entire product suite.”

While Epic has long dominated the market, Ruch believes Oracle is evolving. “Epic has a great product, but implementation methodology is what truly sets systems apart,” he said. “Oracle is now implementing a highly structured, best-practice-driven approach that aligns more closely with Epic’s strengths.”

Governance in IT Decision-Making

As health systems expand their digital toolkits, governance is crucial to maintaining efficiency. AtlantiCare has instituted a governance body—dubbed the ‘Shark Tank’—to evaluate new software requests.

“There are always new requests for technology, and one of the ways we protect our investment is by ensuring we stick to our preferred partners when possible,” Ruch said. “Without governance, you end up with a ‘flea market’ infrastructure that’s difficult to sustain.”

The ‘Shark Tank’ approach ensures that every technology request undergoes rigorous evaluation before implementation. “We assess budget, integration requirements, security, and workflow impact. The last thing we want is to invest in a tool that doesn’t integrate well or disrupts existing workflows.”

While staying within a single vendor suite is often ideal, Ruch emphasized the importance of flexibility. “If our strategic partner isn’t innovating in a space, they should be the ones to tell us. That’s the sign of a strong partner.”

At the same time, external solutions must align with the organization’s long-term vision. “Sometimes there’s a future pain component. You might adopt an external solution now, but in six months, your core vendor might release an integrated alternative.